A shot of a lunar eclipse last year over Borden, Sask. (Submitted photo/Tim Yaworski)

By Derek Craddock

DARK OF THE MOON

Once in a millennia lunar eclipse to take shape over Saskatchewan

Nov 18, 2021 | 1:00 PM

It might be worth braving the cold to catch a glimpse of something that hasn’t happened in centuries.

Just after midnight Friday, the full moon will be passing through Earth’s shadow, resulting in a partial lunar eclipse, which will end around 6:00 a.m.

When we say partial, we mean about 97 per cent of the moon will be covered.

The eclipse will also last several hours which according to Tim Yaworski with the Royal Astronomical Society in Saskatoon, hasn’t happened in a very long time.

“It’s the longest duration lunar eclipse that we’ve had for over 1,000 years, just because of the way the orbits of the earth and the moon around the sun are coinciding, this eclipse is taking measurably longer than an eclipse normally would.”

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Weather permitting, Yaworski said the best time to view the eclipse will be between 1:15 a.m. and 5:00 a.m.

“The first hour of the eclipse, you’re really not going to see much it’s just a slight darkening of the moon. As it progresses, we’re going to get into that beautiful, blood-red moon when it’s going into the darkest part of the shadow.”

He added at around 3:00 a.m., the midway point of the eclipse, is when the red moon will shine the brightest.

Yaworski said the great thing about lunar eclipses is that anyone can enjoy them. Compared to solar eclipses there’s no need for protective eyewear, just a jacket, toque, and gloves if you’re out in the cold watching it.

If you happen to miss this lunar eclipse, Yaworski said not to worry as a couple more are expected next year.

“In 2022, there’s actually two total lunar eclipses that are going to be happening in Saskatchewan,” he said, which are expected to take place on May 16 and Nov. 8.

The forecast overnight on Friday is calling for partly cloudy skies in Prince Albert, the Battlefords, Meadow Lake, and Saskatoon. La Ronge and Melfort could see more clouds and possible flurries.

–With files from 650 CKOM

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derek.craddock@pattisonmedia.com

Twitter: @PA_Craddock